Crossword Genius

Soldier and I talk to the detective (7,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

private eye

'the detective' is the definition.
(private eye is a type of detective)

'soldier and i talk' is the wordplay.
'soldier' becomes 'private' (private is a type of soldier).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'talk' shows a homophone (sound like).
'i' sounds like 'eye'.
'private'+'eye'='PRIVATE EYE'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for private eye that I've seen before include "investigator" , "Investigative satirical magazine" , "Periodical" , "Spade, say" , "50 today" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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